KR101078959B1 - Capacitive space-saving jog dial for mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system is provided, the mobile terminal comprising a housing having an opening and a selection input device. The selection input device includes a hub having a perimeter, the hub is fixed to an opening of the housing, at least a portion of the perimeter of the hub extends from the housing, the flexible ring being movable around the hub And is movable with the periphery of the hub to generate a signal when moving relative to the hub. A controller is operably connected to the input device for receiving and processing the signal.

Emulation Input Device, Jog Dial, Pervasive Computing

Description

CAPACITIVE SPACE-SAVING JOG DIAL FOR MOBILE TERMINAL}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to mobile communication devices, and more particularly to mobile terminals that include and use a jog dial emulation input device in a wireless communication system.

Mobile terminals are used in wireless communication systems to transmit and receive information, such as mobile phones in cellular telephone systems. Mobile phones typically include displays and input mechanisms used to control mobile phones such as keyboards, buttons, and the like. Displays are used to view information and input mechanisms are typically provided for entering data as well as control of any multimedia interface including the display.

With the increasing popularity of the Internet, mobile phones are being used as receivers for voice data as well as various forms of visual data that can be viewed on displays, such as email, fax or other forms of processed documents, pictures, videos or web pages. . The mobile phone can also operate as a gaming device. Moreover, some mobile phones also include a camera function to capture the current image to meet the growing demand for video or image-based communication. Image capture is typically accomplished by manually operating through a specified sequence of shutter buttons or key strokes.

As the various functions of the mobile phone increase, the need to diversify the type of input mechanism for each function increases. At the same time, finding ways to achieve additional space for mobile phones is desirable for both sellers and consumers. As the mobile phone becomes smaller, the area in which the input mechanism is available gradually decreases. For economic reasons, there are limitations and it is not desirable to reduce the size below.

Menu lists containing multiple icons or other items are typically arranged horizontally or vertically on the display screen. The user of the mobile terminal selects an item such as a command or selection by moving the selection cursor horizontally or vertically to the desired item through the jog dial. The jog dial input device is typically capable of inputting data in a rotating and pressing operation.

The mobile terminal is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated 20. The illustrated mobile terminal 20 is adapted for use in a wireless communication network, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the mobile terminal 20 is a cellular telephone. Since the mobile terminal 20 includes a housing 22, the housing may be of any desired size and shape, but as described above, the trend is directed towards smaller and smaller mobile terminals 20. The housing 22 includes an electronic component that is operable to send and receive telecommunication signals and electronic components that operate other functions of the mobile terminal 20, as is known in the art. The housing 22 includes an ear piece 24 that emits sound or a display 26 that displays speakers and text and graphics and other images. Display 26 may be black and white or color. The keypad device 28, which includes text and function keys 30, receives contact inputs to enter data, place a telephone call, interact with the display 26, or perform other operations of the mobile terminal 20. It may be provided on the housing 22 to control the operation. Various other controls may also be provided on the housing 22, such as specific purpose keys (not shown) that control one or more functional aspects of the mobile phone 20. The housing 22 may also include a microphone 32 for inputting sound.

The jog dial 40 is rotatably disposed within the housing 22. Jog dial 40 is a well known infinite loop rotary switch that operates as a selection input unit. The jog dial 40 is rotatable and pressable. To operate the jog dial 40, the user places his fingertip over the jog dial 40 and rotates the jog dial. When the jog dial 40 is rotated, a signal is generated according to the direction in which the user moves the jog dial 40. The jog dial 40 signal is transmitted to an application program or the like, and the application program or the like changes the bidirectional parameter in accordance with the rotation direction. In this way, the jog dial 40 is rotated to provide access to items that are clearly separated from the currently displayed item. When the jog dial 40 is pressed, the modern displayed item is finally approved and entered.

It is not always practical to provide a jog dial input device 40 to the mobile terminal 20, because not only does the jog dial 40 incur additional costs but also requires more space in the housing 22. Because. Typical jog dials are usually about 13-16 mm in diameter.

For the reasons mentioned above, there is a need for a mobile terminal adapted to efficiently accommodate multiple functions while maintaining simplicity and portability for use in a wireless communication system. The new mobile terminal must also accept a selection input device such as a jog dial.

According to the present invention, a mobile terminal is provided for use in a wireless communication system, the mobile terminal having a housing having an opening and a selection input device. The selection input device includes a hub having a perimeter, the hub being fixed to an opening in the housing, at least a portion of the perimeter of the hub being installed to extend from the housing. A flexible ring is movably disposed at the periphery of the hub and generates a signal as the ring moves relative to the hub. The controller is operatively connected to the input device to receive and process the signal.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the embodiments shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings below.

1 is a front view of an embodiment of a mobile terminal including a jog dial input device.

2 is a schematic enlarged front view of a mobile terminal in a partial cross section showing a jog dial emulation input device according to the present invention;

3 is an exploded perspective view of the jog dial emulation input device shown in FIG.

Certain terms herein are used for convenience only and are not intended to limit the invention. For example, words such as "top", "bottom", "left side", "right side", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward" and "downward" are only The structure shown in the drawings will be described. Indeed, components may be directed in any direction and the term should be understood to encompass such modifications unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, “keypad” is used to mean any type of input device including a touch sensitive area or areas that may include predefined key positions or gesture areas. Moreover, the term "keypad" is not intended to be limited to keypads based on contacting switch technology. Rather, “keypad” as contemplated by this disclosure includes any non-contacting type, more typically referred to as a “touchpad” that senses when a conductive object approaches, and can be referred to as such. We will refer to the type of input technology.

Referring now to the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to corresponding or similar components throughout the several views, and a jog dial emulation input device 50 for use in a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. The illustrated mobile terminal 20 may be the same mobile terminal as shown in FIG. 1 and is adapted for use in a wireless communication network. 1 and 2, the mobile terminal 20 may be a conventional terminal except as otherwise provided herein. It is understood that no more detailed description of these components is necessary because there are many types of mobile terminal housings 22 and related components that are well known in the art and can be used in practice in the present invention. It is understood that the present invention is not directed to any particular style of mobile terminal or housing.

The jog dial emulation input device 50 according to the invention comprises a hub 52 and a track 54. As shown in FIG. 3, the hub 52 is D-shaped and the length of the straight edge is about 10 mm to 20 mm. A hub 52 including a periphery is provided to generate a signal in response to the movement of the track 54 relative to the hub 52, as described below.

The track 54 is a rubber ring provided with a protrusion 56 or teeth extending from the outer surface of the track 54. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the track 54 has 33 teeth 56. However, it is understood that the number of teeth in the track 54 can be changed without affecting the function of the present invention. The track 54 is installed at the periphery of the hub 52 so as to slide in rotation with respect to the hub 52. The track 54 is infinitely rotatable.

Like the conventional jog dial, a cavity 58 is provided in the housing 22 to receive the jog dial input device 50 (FIG. 2). The cavity 58 is wide enough to accommodate the entire input device 50. Although the mounting assembly is not shown, the hub 52 is fixedly installed in the housing 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the input device 50 is installed such that the straight edge of the hub 52 in the cavity 58 is substantially parallel to the main side of the housing 22. The arch periphery of the hub 52 extends slightly from the housing to allow manipulation of the track 54.

The main processor and memory in the mobile terminal 20 control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 20 and are therefore referred to herein as " controllers. &Quot; The electrical and program functions necessary to fully utilize the mobile terminal 20 are implemented via a controller. The controller includes means for providing input to the mobile terminal 20 to follow any microcode or other software command. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be executed by hardware embedded circuits rather than by executable software or by a combination of hardware embedded circuits and software. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software or software instruction from any particular source. The jog dial emulation input device 50 is operably connected with a controller according to the invention, the controller receiving a signal from the input device 50 to determine the direction and amount of rotation and whether the track 54 has been pressed. To process

In one example, the jog dial emulation input device 50 is used to select an application program from a plurality of programs stored in the computer and to execute the application program selected by the input device 50. In this example, the application program is represented by an image, such as an item or an icon, on the display 26 of the mobile terminal 20. The input device 50 enables image-by-image viewing when the track 54 rotates with respect to the hub 52, and stops viewing and displays images that execute the program. Makes it possible to choose.

In use, the track 54 rotates about the hub 52, generating a signal and sending it to the controller. In response to the signal, the controller determines the direction of rotation and amount of rotation of the track 54 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As the track 54 rotates counterclockwise, as the track 54 rotates, the program menu selection displayed by the selection indicator displayed on the display unit 26 moves continuously in one direction. On the other hand, if the track 54 rotates clockwise, the program menu selection is continuously moved in the other opposite direction. In this manner, scrolling of the menu item is proportional to the amount of rotation the track 54 rotates. While seeing what is currently displayed on the display 26, the user advances the appropriate number of turns in the appropriate direction until the track reaches the desired item.

When the desired item is displayed through the track 54 rotation, the selection of the item can be made by pressing the track 54 against the hub 52. When the user applies a predetermined force to the track, the controller recognizes the operation as an input action or other related activity that may be applied to the currently selected operating mode. Pressing track 54 accepts and enters the currently displayed number or letter. Thereafter, upon removal of the applied force, the input device 50 is restored to its original state.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the jog digital emulation input device 50 further includes means for generating a resistance to rotation. The resistance generating means may comprise an arm 60 whose end is fixed inside the housing 22. The free end of the arm 60 is positioned in contact with the track 54 such that the protrusion 56 of the track 54 selectively engages the free end of the arm 60 when the track 54 rotates. . Each time the track 54 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the displayed items increase or decrease once each time the protrusion 56 passes through the end of the arm 60. For example, the track is rotated to give a five-click click. In this case, the selected item increases by one click and increases by five times.

The controller may also generate sound through the speaker of the mobile terminal using the sound driving circuit. In alternative embodiments, the sound generating means may comprise a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The jog dial emulation input device 50 according to the present invention has many advantages including the visual, feel and sound of a jog digital type device while minimizing the size and minimizing the obstacles in designing and planning electronic products.

Although the present invention is described herein in the context of a mobile terminal in the form of a mobile cellular telephone, it should be understood that the jog dial emulation input device of the present invention is not limited and useful in other electronic devices and applications. For example, the term "mobile phone" as used herein refers to cellular wireless telephones, landline and wireless telephones, data processing, facsimile and data communications capabilities with or without a multi-line display. PCS terminals, Internet / Intranet access devices, electronic organizers, cordless phones, pagers, Internet / Intranet access, web browsers, electronic organizers, personal digital assistants, PDAs, wristwatch keypad devices, and conventional devices Other computer systems including laptops and / or palmtop receivers or displays. Mobile phones may also be referred to as "Pervasive Computing" devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, the invention can be implemented in a computer system having a memory circuit for storing data, a display operative to generate an image and control circuitry configured to control the data flow between the memory and the receiver. Moreover, jog dial emulation input devices are optionally used for magnetic and electronic recording and playback equipment, or for entering characters such as consonant vowels or symbols in text input mode, and values such as time-date settings in clock mode. Can be used in any other device. The jog dial emulation input device may also be installed in the remote-control unit of the electronic equipment to operate in a similar manner as described herein.

Although the present invention has been described and described in great detail with reference to only a few exemplary embodiments, various modifications, omissions and additions have been made in the light of the above teachings and, in particular, without departing substantially from the novel and advantages of the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this may be done in the examples. For example, the present invention is suitable for use in many portable and non-portable electronic devices and applications. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such modifications, omissions, additions, and equivalents, as well as being included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. In the claims, the means-additional-function clause is described herein to cover equivalent structures as well as structures and structural equivalents that perform the functions described above. For example, nails are fixed together to a piece of wood using a cylindrical surface, whereas screws use a spiral surface in an environment to secure the piece of wood, so nails and screws are equivalent, even if they are not structural equivalents. It may be a structure.

Claims (16)

In a mobile terminal used in a wireless communication system, Housing with opening, As a selection input device, A hub having a perimeter, the hub being fixed to an opening in the housing, at least a portion of the perimeter extending from the housing, A flexible ring movably disposed at the periphery of the hub, the flexible ring including a plurality of protrusions that generate signals when the ring is moved relative to the hub and extend outwardly from an outer surface of the flexible ring, And The selection input device comprising an arm disposed near the flexible ring to engage the protrusion when the flexible ring is moved relative to the hub, and A controller operatively connected to the selection input device for receiving and processing the signals. The method of claim 1, And a portion of the hub extending from the housing is arcuate. The method of claim 1, The hub is D-shaped, the straight side of the hub being inside the housing and generally parallel to the main side of the housing. The method of claim 1, And the ring is formed of rubber. The method of claim 1, And the protrusion is integral with the outer surface of the ring. The method of claim 1, The arm comprises a flexible member, the flexible member being fixed to the interior of the housing and adapted to engage an area between the two projections when the ring is moved relative to the hub. The method of claim 1, And a predetermined force at the periphery of the hub generates a signal. The method of claim 1, A mobile terminal further comprising a visual display for displaying icons indicating a selection and a selection indicator on the display that is movable in response to signals generated by the movement of the ring to select the icons. . The method of claim 8, Each said icon represents an application program. The method of claim 8, The predetermined force at the periphery of the hub generates a signal for selecting one of the icons. A selection input device for a mobile terminal in a wireless communication system, the mobile terminal comprising a housing containing a controller adapted to be operatively connected with the input device for receiving and processing a signal from the input device; The input device is A hub having a periphery, the hub being fixed to an opening of the housing, at least a portion of the periphery of the hub extending from the housing, A flexible ring movably disposed at the periphery of the hub, the flexible ring including a plurality of protrusions that generate signals when the ring is moved relative to the hub and extend outwardly from an outer surface of the flexible ring, And And an arm disposed near the flexible ring to engage the protrusions when the flexible ring is moved relative to the hub. The method of claim 11, And a portion of the hub extending from the housing is arcuate. The method of claim 11, And said hub is a D-shape. The method of claim 11, And the ring is formed of rubber. The method of claim 11, And the protrusions are integral with the outer surface of the ring. The method of claim 11, And a predetermined force at the periphery of the hub generates a signal.

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